Santa Monica, Calif. (July 6, 2026) – The official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, Gooding Christie’s, has revealed a roster of exceptional prewar offerings for its 22nd annual Pebble Beach Auctions, taking place on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15. Historic American and European offerings, ranging from a Miller ‘Bowes Seal Fast’ Special which won the 1931 Indianapolis 500, to a pair of Alfa Romeos from the estate of esteemed collector Brian Brunkhorst, to an exceptionally rare Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Supercharged ‘Blower’ Sports Tourer lead the lineup of prewar selections at the upcoming sale. Registration to bid for the live auction event is now available on goodingco.com. “As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Gooding Christie’s is proud to offer cars that demonstrate the finest American achievements in racing and design from the prewar era, together with their British and Italian equivalents,” said Rupert Banner, Gooding Christie’s Senior Specialist. “All of these cars share a commonality of incredible histories and a roster of some of the most respected collectors the industry has known."
Gooding Christie’s is privileged to present selections from the estate of the late Brian Brunkhorst, a respected American collector and notable Alfisti. These include a highly individual example of the marque’s legendary 8C 2300, the 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Lungo Spider (Estimate: $2,500,000 – $3,500,000), as well as a Vittorio Jano-designed 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Series III Super Sport ‘Testa Fissa’ (Estimate: $1,000,000 – $1,500,000). The 8C 2300 was delivered new to Naples, Italy with exceptional one-off open coachwork by Zagato, and this matching-numbers chassis today wears masterfully recreated Zagato coachwork by acclaimed restorer Dino Cognolato. Previously owned by noted collectors including the Wilkins Brothers, Vojta Mashek, and Hugh Taylor, this 8C has been part of the Brian Brunkhorst Collection since 2005. A previous participant in the exclusive Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® and the Alfa Romeo 8C Tour of the Rockies, the 8C is eligible for the most prestigious concours and touring events worldwide. The 6C is one of only four such 1500 Super Sports supplied new to British distributor F.W. Stiles. A semi-works competition car with a Testa Fissa engine and Zagato spider body, it was the winner of the 1929 Brooklands Double Twelve with factory test driver Giulio Ramponi. With an outstanding provenance and just three private owners since 1961, it has been a fixture of Brian Brunkhorst’s collection for over a decade.
Also offered is an exceptionally rare 1931 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Supercharged ‘Blower’ Sports Tourer (Estimate: $3,500,000 – $4,000,000), one of the 50 original factory supercharged ‘Blower’ Bentleys. This Vintage Bentley has undergone a concours-level restoration by Vintage Bentley Engineering in the UK and McDonald Vintage Restoration of Oregon, and was awarded First in Class at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®. This example, chassis MS3927, presents much as it did when it left Bentley Motors, retaining its original Vanden Plas coachwork, Le Mans seats, and most of its original running gear. It boasts a known history from new, as documented in a report on file by marque authority Dr. Clare Hay.
A number of early American motoring icons represent the very innovation, engineering prowess, and indomitable force that propelled the automobile to the venerated status it holds today in the global, and especially American, psyche. On offer is the 1931 Stevens Miller ‘Bowes Seal Fast’ Special (Estimate: $2,000,000 – $3,000,000), engine no. 2, which won the 1931 Indianapolis 500 with driver Louis Schneider and mechanic “Jigger Johnson.” This important race car comes from a chain of prominent owners, including Bob McConnell, Robert Rubin, and David Uilhein. Restored during Uilhein’s ownership, this Miller serves as a reminder of the spirit, ingenuity, passion, and design unique to American racing.
Additional American offerings include a 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Runabout (Estimate: $1,400,000 – $1,800,000) featuring Packard Custom Bodyworks coachwork. Among the most desirable and sporting Packards of the Classic Era, and one of just 39 Runabout Boattails built, this 734 Speedster Runabout was one of America’s fastest and most advanced automobiles of its time. An award-winning example, including First in Class at Pebble Beach, this Packard’s remarkable provenance includes Ralph Stein, Otis Chandler, and Ray Scherr. A Nickel-era racing icon is also present in the sympathetically restored 1915 Stutz ‘Weightman’ Special (Estimate: $900,000 – $1,200,000). The winner of the Benning Track Thanksgiving Races in 1916, this Stutz has formerly been owned by Eddie Hearne, Lindley Bothwell, and collecting legend Bill Harrah.
Pebble Beach Auctions Dates: Friday, August 14, at 4 p.m. PDT, and Saturday, August 15, at 11 a.m. PDT Location: Parc du Concours in Pebble Beach, CA Public Preview: Wednesday, August 12 through Saturday, August 15 General Admission: $50, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auction Bidder Registration: www.goodingco.com/register Live Auction Broadcast: www.goodingco.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodingChristies X: @goodingandco Instagram: @goodingandcompany YouTube: @GoodingChristies Phone: +1.310.899.1960 About Gooding Christie’s Gooding Christie’s is world renowned for its market-leading automotive auctions, private brokerage, and unparalleled service in the international collector car market with over two decades of operation. Gooding Christie’s consistently sets world record prices and redefines market standards through both its live auctions and Geared Online platform with best-of-category cars across numerous verticals. The commitment to presenting the highest quality of consignments while operating with the utmost integrity and transparency has provided the company an unmatched reputation of trust and respect. Offering a wide range of services including private and estate sales, appraisals, collection management, and financing options, Gooding Christie’s is ready to assist you. To browse available offerings, discover upcoming auctions, view conditions of sale, or learn more about consigning your vehicle or registering to bid at a future sale, please visit goodingco.com. Media Inquiries: Pauline Pechakjian pauline@goodingco.com +1 (310) 383-7437
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